Speaker Chenault Elected for NCSL Executive Committee

(Nikiski) - State lawmakers and legislative staff from across the country have elected two members from the Alaska State Legislature to serve in leadership roles for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Mike's participation in NCSL over the years has been a key part of the organization's success.
~ NCSL President and New Hampshire Rep. Terie Norelli

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, will serve on the 2012-2013 NCSL's Executive Committee. Chenault was elected to that position last week at NCSL's 2012 Legislative Summit.

"We are pleased to have Speaker Chenault's expertise on NCSL's Executive Committee," said incoming NCSL President and New Hampshire Representative Terie Norelli. "Mike's participation in NCSL over the years has been a key part of the organization's success."

Chenault has been an active participant in NCSL's Legislative Leadership meetings, which bring together America's top legislative leaders to learn from each other and have conversations with the brightest thinkers in economics, policy, and politics.

The NCSL Executive Committee is the governing body of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Comprised of 62 elected members, the executive committee drives the organization by supervising and controlling the affairs of the Conference, its committees, and publications, as well as deciding the organization's ultimate positions on matters of public policy.

Tom Wright, Chenault's chief of staff, has also been tapped for a leadership position and will serve as vice chair for 2012-2013 and will move to the position of staff chair in 2013.

"I am honored to represent not only Alaska staff, but the more than 35,000 legislative staff nationwide," said Wright.

Wright was selected to be the staff vice chair at the 38th annual NCSL Legislative Summit in Chicago. He has been a member of the Leadership Staff Section for over a decade and served as its chair in 2009-2010. He served on NCSL's Executive Committee from 2010-2012. Wright has been an active member of NCSL's Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee and helped lead several committees.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.